hello,
i’ve been in japan for the last 6 months, i returned back to america(for vacation) and finally received a mental health treatment that worked.
i’m on methylphenidate (concerta) and wellbutrin. in order to get this medication in japan; what would i need to bring? should i ask my psychiatrist for documentation, would that be enough? would i still have to get a new diagnosis in japan? originally, my doctor prescribed me 60 pills and i would have my parents ship them to me when i’m out but this method isn’t reliable anymore.
more information: i’ll be living in kanagawa area closer to tokyo. i’m diagnosed adhd + major depressive disorder and of course i have national health insurance.
i see a couple of post on this already but it’s people who need new diagnoses — does it matter that i’m already diagnosed and on this medication? i’ll have a 30 day supply by the time i’m back in japan so i’ll have 30 days to figure it out
7 comments
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Bring your prescription, tell your doctor you’re on this medication, be prepared for monthly visits to get refills until they deem you to be ready for every 2 month visits. They can’t prescribe more than 2 months at a time unless you’re going to be out of the country (I got them to prescribe me 3 months of my heart meds for an extended business trip and I’ve been taking the exact same medication for close to 20 years).
Methylphenidate (concerta) is legal in Japan, wellbutrin is not – you’ll need to find an alternative, having your parents send you a supply of wellbutrin risks you getting arrested for dangerous drugs that are dangerous because it is chemically similar to amphetamine.
Concerta in Japan in subject to special regulations. You must register for a “concerta card” through your doctor and you must present a valid health insurance card and the concerta card to get the prescription.
Getting the card takes 3/4 weeks so definitely get on that asap.
You can only be prescribed 1 month of concerta at a time so you will need to go to the doctor every month.
If you’re close to Yokohama, the doctor at the Bluff clinic prescribes my Concerta for me. He just needed a diagnosis letter from my previous doctor (this letter also included the medication I’m currently taking). I also had to register for my ‘ADHD card’ at the clinic which was literally just a form I had to fill in. I do have to visit monthly as you can only get prescribed a 30 day supply of Concerta. Unfortunately, I’m not sure about the Wellbutrin, but it’s worth a shot to ask the doctor 🙂
Also, I get all my medication directly from the clinic, so no awkward pharmacy visits!
I got prescribed Concerta back in August on my **first** visit to a psychiatrist in Tokyo, within a month after moving here, having previously taken Vyvanse for about 3 years in my home country. I was able to download my full medical records (in English) from my previous provider, which contained the diagnosis and prescription history, and this was deemed sufficient evidence for the psychiatrist to proceed. I did not have to wait–they gave me the special prescription card immediately and I walked across the street to a pharmacy and got my meds right then and there.
The clinic I went to was recommended previously on this subreddit, since the doctor speaks English: [https://www.kk-c.com/en/](https://www.kk-c.com/en/)
Unfortunately Concerta is less effective and gives me a lot more anxiety than Vyvanse so I’m crossing my fingers that the day will come when they approve Vyvanse for adults here (it’s already available to minors).
I’ll just chime in with those who have been having Wellbutrin shipped here for years. My doctor “prescribes” it for me, and one time he interceded for me when it got held up at customs. Since then, I never order more than three months’ supply at a time—using the maximum dose as a guideline. Concerta, I don’t know about, sorry.
Can’t say I would recommend having your parents mail you pills